Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made to be healthier? Neither do we. But you don’t have to wait until NEXT year to start again. In this Lifescript exclusive, nutritionist and Food Network star Ellie Krieger shares the secret to a healthy lifestyle and two of her favorite low-cal recipes. (Hint: It’s not as hard as you think.) Plus, are you ready to make life changes? Take our quiz…

So your exercise clothes are in a heap in the corner. Your treadmill has become a great place to hang your slacks. And an open candy bar wrapper peeks out from under the dish towels.

If your diet is derailed, you’re in good company; 80% of Americans don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions. And since “lose weight” is the No.1 goal, lots of gym memberships are going unused.

But Ellie Krieger, bestselling author and host of the Food Network show Healthy Living with Ellie Krieger, has a different message:

“The resolution is failing you, you’re not failing it,” she says.

That may sound like a dating excuse (“it’s not you, it’s me”), but Krieger has a point. Sometimes it’s not that your goal is impossible; it’s that your road there is paved with nails – or Almond Joys.

Here’s how to get things back on track:

1. Reevaluate and RevampOften, our resolutions are crazy, pie-in-the-sky dreams. They sound good on the surface (“I want to look like Beyoncé by fall”), but in reality, they’re near-impossible to achieve. A couple weeks’ effort reveals how far-fetched that goal is, and we give up altogether.

When making a resolution, “Really ask yourself, ‘Is this attainable?’” Krieger says. Then revise your goal to reflect your circumstances.

"If your goal is to look like Beyoncé, that might not be very realistic,” she says. “You might not be able to look like you did in high school, but maybe you can look like you did after your first baby.” Or maybe you can climb the steps without getting winded.

The key, Krieger says, is to set up a goal that you can achieve.

2. Get SpecificNext, make sure your resolution is specific.

Instead of saying, “I’m never drinking soda again,” come up with a detailed plan to get to your goal. Maybe you can just eliminate the last Diet Coke of your day and do that for one month. Then you might go down to one soda a day for three months, followed by one a weekend for four months. By the end of the year, you’ll have cut soda from your diet.

Want to lose weight? Here are four goals Krieger recommends:

Eat a healthy breakfast every day. A healthy breakfast is one of the key habits of people who have lost weight successfully, Krieger says. It prevents snacking on junk food later in the day and psychologically sets you up for a good day.

Drink a glass of water instead of one caloric beverage daily. Add a slice of lemon, orange or cucumber for a fresh flavor.

At night, set an eating “deadline” – there’s no snacking after that time.

Have dinner at home at least four nights a week. “Cooking at home is a win-win-win,” Krieger says. “It brings you back into the kitchen, you save money and you have more control over what you’re eating.”

Most important, don’t let life’s curve balls keep you from making a healthy change that will pay off for years to come.

“Massive change can be demoralizing,” Krieger says. “The idea of making small changes, one at a time, is much easier. And that’s the kind of thinking that will get you through a lifetime of good habits.”

Healthy Treats to Keep You GoingOne of Krieger’s core beliefs is that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean deprivation. Here are two of Krieger’s favorite recipes from The Food You Crave (Taunton Press, 2008) that only seem decadent:

2. Cook the macaroni according the package directions. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

3. Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk in a large saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheddar, Jack and ricotta cheeses, salt, mustard and cayenne. Pour this mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine.

5. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheeses are bubbling around the edges, about 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together both flours, the baking soda, salt and spices. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar and eggs until well combined. Whisk in the applesauce, vanilla and carrots.

3. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the walnuts.

4. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. To make the frosting, with an electric mixer beat together the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with the walnuts. The cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about 3 days.

Krieger’s 2005 book Small Changes, Big Results(Three Rivers Press)is a 12-week how-to on incorporating these types of changes in your everyday life for optimal results. Her second book, The Food You Crave(Taunton Press), a recipe book, came out late last year.

For more on Ellie Krieger, check out www.EllieKrieger.com.
Are You Ready to Make a Life Change?Everyday frustrations are common, but at what point are you ready to make a change? A different job, going back to school, getting a divorce, starting a diet – all require commitment. So are you ready to make a life change? Takethis quiz and find out.